Explore episodes from Dr. Giurcanu’s “Growing Democracy” project, featuring in-depth conversations and educational content on youth civic engagement and community empowerment. Each episode is available to listen directly below.
This work has been sponsored by various grants - the Growing Democracy grant from the Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs of the American Political Science Association (APSA #1502461), the Annual Seed Grant Program from the National Louis University, and the Civic and Voter Engagement Fellowships from the Pericles Project.
Riyan Jones from Mikva Challenge and Mary Stonor Saunders from Common Cause join NLU faculty to reflect on best civic practices when thinking about youth engagement strategies, the importance of building relationships, the meaning of language across segregated Chicago, youth disenfranchisement, and the need to build a pipeline of future civic leaders to achieve much-needed representation in public offices. The discussion underscores the importance of investing in youth leadership, fostering civic responsibility, and addressing systemic inequities through grassroots and policy-driven approaches.
Karen May talks to us about community and youth development - challenges and opportunities when working with divided communities, and the pride of belonging to a Boxing Club on the West Side as a safe space. Karen also addresses current challenges when engaging with youth development in a non-profit sector where balancing is needed around concerns related to ‘real life experience’ and issues related to emotional well-being.
We are interviewing Christian Harris, a young Black entrepreneur, political representative, and community organizer actively involved in the Oak Park Reparation Task Force, among other things. He talks about the importance of the youth knowing ‘your their own history,’ and the relevancy and connections students need to make and feel with various issues and subjects to make them interested in learning more. He also addresses aspects of trust, what it means to be a leader and stay true to one’s own beliefs even when going against your constituents, campaign office addressing grievances, how to build connections to communities, and the effort it takes to mobilize people, especially when faced with dismal financial resources
Camille Williams reflects on her trajectory to becoming civically engaged, work that started at the very young age of 12, the role and access to education in helping young people have a voice and understand their political environments, the importance of funds and resources for communities, and reforms needed in the courts. Camille also highlights a few Chicago Votes projects such as Reimagining Democracy, Unlock Civics - an educational initiative for and with incarcerated people, and Court Watching.
The interview with Lani Montreal explores her work as an educator, writer, performer, and community activist in Chicago. She discusses her involvement in theater as a form of activism, using plays to engage communities in conversations about social justice, particularly issues like gun violence and immigration.
She highlights her work with Circa-Pintig, a grassroots Filipino-American theater group focused on community-based storytelling, and shares the impact of plays like Panther in the Sky (about mothers affected by gun violence) and Sister Outlaw (exploring LGBTQ+ and immigration issues). Montreal emphasizes the importance of co-ownership in community projects, ensuring that those affected by the issues have a voice in shaping the narratives.
David Boykin is a member of the 6th District Police Council in Chicago. The discussion covers the role of the District Police Council, which was created to enhance police accountability through the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance. Boykin explains the structure and function of the council, the challenges of engaging the community, and the difficulties in ensuring police accountability. The conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities of grassroots civic engagement in police oversight.